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Spring is almost upon us, as is the planting season. Instead of waiting until the last minute, take the fate of your garden into your own hands this year! Right now is the time to prepare your log cabin for the upcoming growing season. To help you out, here are the top 5 things to avoid when getting things ready around your log cabin garden.

# 1. Avoid Working the Soil too soonWorking the soil too early is one of the easiest mistakes to make when prepping your log cabin (more information here). If the dirt is still too wet, plants will find it difficult to grow because the soil is compacted. Luckily, the fix is extremely easy. Simply make sure the soil is dry enough! Grab a fist full of soil in your hand, around half a cup if counting. Now, pretend like the dirt is snow and squeeze it together to form a ball. Take your little piece of log cabin earth and drop it from your waist. If it breaks into loose soil, congratulations! If you don't want to mess up your sidewalk, take your fingers and press on the ball until it falls apart. Spheres that break into solid clumps mean the earth is still too wet to work.# 2. Avoid Overworking the SoilThe key to working the soil is to avoid overworking the soil. If preparing a raised bed, all that is needed are a couple of turn of a pitchfork. You want to avoid rototilling or double digging in a log cabin garden such as this. Furthermore, the greater amount of organic material on the plot the less working the earth will need. If breaking up the soil too much is a concern, try adding compost. It raises the bed, creates healthier ecosystems, and adds essential nutrients. Not only that, but it decreases food and organic waste being tossed into our landfills.# 3. Avoid Adding Nutrients to the Soil Without Testing FirstIt is important to test your log cabin's soil each year to ensure the healthiest veggies, fruits, and flowers. This is the most accurate way of determining which nutrients your soil needs. Without testing, adding fertilizers becomes a guessing game. This is not good for your plants or the earth. Changing the soil pH willy nilly can also mess up the composition for years to come. However, if you never test your log cabin garden dirt you will never know!#4. Avoid Synthetic FertilizersAlthough readily available, synthetic fertilizers should be avoided. Even if you don't consider yourself an environmentally conscious person, the use of chemicals in your garden can be unhealthy for you as well. Not to mention organic fertilizers are extremely easy and cheap to make and buy. In fact, there are 3 incredibly awesome natural ways to add nutrients back to the earth beneath your log cabin. First, throw away any pre-formed opinions about compost. It does not have to be smelly or gross, and it is extremely nutrient dense. Second, use grass clippings from lawns without herbicides. You can either mix these straight into the soil or place them on top like mulch. Grass clippings also work to help the dirt store water and slow the growth of weeds. Composted leaves from the fall do the same. The final organic compound for use in your log cabin garden is mulch. Mulch is the most widely available of the three for purchase, so there is little work required. # 5. Avoid Spring Cleaning ProcrastinationAs mentioned earlier, now is the time to begin preparing your log cabin for the planting season. A large and largely overlooked part of this process is spring-cleaning. Wash and organize all of the garden tools that have been waiting all winter to see you! Make note of everything needing to be replaced, and purchase it as soon as possible. In terms of the log cabin garden itself, go ahead and remove any dead plant material on top of the area.

Prepare Your Log Cabin Garden and Enjoy!These 5 things to avoid will save time, money, and heartache. Although it can seem like a daunting task, getting your log cabin garden ready for growing season will save you the stress of playing catch-up. Once it is time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, you will be glad you did!

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If you are considering purchasing or building a log cabin, you may want to know more about how wood handles the weather. I don't blame you. There are a lot of myths out there about log cabins. Unfortunately, that fake information often scares people away from what is a great home choice. In this article, I am going to tell you the truth. Here are the10 things you need to know about log cabins in the warm and cool seasons.

Things to Know in the Warm Seasons

1. A Full Log Home Has Only its Natural Insulation – Just because there has been no insulation added, doesn't mean the home is not weather resistant. Many people believe log cabins get extremely hot in the summertime, resulting in a higher electric bill. Luckily, they are wrong. The fact is, a well-built log cabin home offers more insulation than conventional homes.

2. Energy Efficient – If you have never lived in a log cabin, or have only lived in older log cabins (more information here), you may still believe the outdated lie that they are not energy efficient. While it may be true older and poorly constructed log homes are not energy efficient, newer and properly caulked homes can be energy efficient homes. However, you must have properly fitted heating and air to reap the benefits.

3. Air Leaks are Easy to Fix – Over time, certain types of logs do shrink, causing the leakage of air. However, air leaks are the easiest fix in a log cabin. If you find an air leak by accident or during an inspection, simply spray in some expandable foam insulation. You can find this stuff at any store that services contractors, including your local home improvement store!

4. No Termites Allowed – Although it goes against common sense, log cabins do not attract termites. Turns out, these wood-destroying pests are not attracted to a large area of dense wood. They prefer to munch in areas with less wood, and less dense wood.

5. Maintenance is Necessary – Yes, maintenance is necessary. However, maintenance is a necessary part of owning any type of home. The easiest way to ensure your log cabin performs well in all seasons is to keep to a regular maintenance schedule the way you would your car.

Things to Know in the Cold Seasons

1. Logs are Natural Sound Barriers – For those of you that do not know, logs are actually natural sound barriers. That's why people plant trees between their homes and busy roads. When the weather turns colder, chances are you will start hearing more noises. If you live in town, there may be increased traffic by your house during the school year. If you live in a populated place that receives snow, you might have to listen to the obnoxious noise of the plows. If you live in the forest, chances are you begin to hear gunshots from hunters this time of the year. A log cabin can take of those 3 things and so much more.

2. Logs are Naturally Fire Resistant – Many people think a house made of solid wood will burn faster than your typical home. However, that is false! When a fire starts in a conventional home, it quickly forms a chimney and radiates out. When a fire starts in a log cabin, it takes a long time for the wood to catch. In fact, the wood would be the absolute last thing to burn in a fire. If you don't believe me, try to start a fire using only your lighter and a huge log. It would take a long while if it were even possible.

3. There are Many Ways to Heat a Log Cabin – You don't have to use conventional heat if you don't want to. Lately, solar panels are gaining popularity with the cabin crowd. Some people like the idea of sticking to a true log home experience, and use a wood-burning stove.

4. Low Heating Bills – As I mentioned earlier, log cabins are energy efficient homes that offer natural insulating properties. This means your bills will be lower in the winter, because you are using the heat less.

5. Most of Your Heat Loss is Through 2 Places – These two places are the floor and the roof. If you insulate under the cabin and the roof, you will notice a temperature difference.

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Prefab log cabins look nice, there is no doubt about that. However, the question is how they perform in the winter. Whether you currently own a prefab log cabin, or you are considering one, you must read this list. If you want to find out 6 of the most important things to know about prefab log cabins in the winter, stay tuned!

#1. Prefab Log Cabins Boast Low Energy Usage

Although wood is not a natural insulator, chances are your prefab log cabin boasts the appropriate insulation to keep your energy bill down. If not, or if your cabin hasn't been kept up, you should make a quick sweep of your home to identify any holes in the caulking. When your home's insulation is up to snuff, you will save money on your heating bill. In fact, with energy efficient heating and air conditioning you prefab log cabin can reduce your bills by up to 20%. If you use a wood stove and have your own fuel supply, you can save even more money. In addition, wood is considered green. Although insulation material is not, the size of your carbon footprint is much lower in a cabin than in other types of homes.

#2. Pefab Cabins are Good for Your Health

Since your prefab log cabin is energy efficient, you are breathing in less air from the outside. Depending on where you live, the decrease in pollution from the outside could mean a big difference. If you have season allergies caused by anything outside, consider purchasing or re-sealing your prefab cabin for better breathing. In the cast of dust allergies, log cabins can be extremely helpful in reducing symptoms. Log cabins are quite easy to clean, and what you see is what you get. You can literally view the quality of your walls for any potential mold or other damaging bacteria. Additionally, there is typically no carpet to collect mites or pet dander!

#3. Pefab Log Cabins Have the Potential to be Dark

One little thought of aspect about prefab cabins is the amount of lighting built into the home. Most log cabins end up being quite dark, especially in the winter months when the days are shorter. If you can choose your home design, try to include as many windows as possible. Since more windows typically mean more drafts, also make sure to purchase Energy Star windows made for your region. If you already own a home that gets too dark for your liking in the winter, don't fear! There are many ways to brighten up your dark days.

Here are a few:

Paint Your Wooden Interior – This step is for the adventurousWhitewash Your Walls – Not for the faint of heart, but the end result is niceAdd Some Insulation – It isn't difficult to put up a paintable wallPaint Your Furniture – A potentially fun project for a cold winter's dayBuy New Furniture – There are many bright colors availableHang Mirrors – Mirrors not only reflect light to make a room brighter, they also make the room look biggerStrategically Place a Few Accessories – Whether purchased or diy, some colorful accessories can provide the pop of color your prefab log cabin needs

#4. There Will Be Silence

If you want a home that will cancel out any winter sounds, look no further than a prefab log cabin. Logs are natural sound barriers, so they insulate the inside of your home from any unpleasant outside sounds. This can be nice if you live in an area with a lot of construction, snow plowing, traffic, or schools. For a quiet, peaceful winter, prefab homes may be what you are looking for!

#5. They are Incredibly Beautiful

No one looks at a log cabin and thinks it is ugly. This goes double in the winter! Who can resist the look of soft white snow on dark, sleek wood? Don't be surprised if people slow down or even take pictures as they drive by your home! If you live out in the woods, be sure to enjoy the beautiful contrast of evergreen, snow, sky, and your prefab log cabin.

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Who hasn't wanted to bring the outdoors inside? With an interior garden office, you can! Interior garden rooms are perfect for plant lovers and sun lovers alike. Not only that, but they can be a stylish addition to your home. In my opinion, interior garden offices are the most fun room of the house to decorate! There are no limits to how you decide to design and style the room. If you are on the fence, or need some ideas to get you inspired, look no further!

7. The Summerhouse

If you have a small summerhouse, you may want to try the cottage look. Add some French doors or other large space that allows in light. This look is perfect for a small table, chairs, and afternoon tea. You can decorate however you want, and that is the beauty of it! This small summerhouse decorates with china, a summery tablecloth, and classical paintings.

6. The Porch

If you have a tiny porch you don't use, you could easily transform it into a garden office. The best type of porch for this is one that is a bit closed off on 2 or 3 sides – one that already feels like a room. If you need another side covered, purchase trellis or lattice and grow up some vines. This offers the ultimate interior garden office/room feel!

5. The Screened In Porch

If your screened in porch is looking and feeling a little dull, dress it up with a beautiful new look! Add some roman blinds to soften and lighten the room. In addition, add all the plants you want. There are so many different houseplants that will thrive in your screened in oasis, you will have a hard timing choosing!

4. The Hideaway

Do you have a decent sized shed in good shape? A backyard building currently used for storage? If so, think about turning these spaces into an interior garden room hideaway! You can make this room into a multi-use guesthouse! The addition of the daybed makes it a great space to lounge around and read your favorite book, or hang out with your friends.

The Hideaway via Country Living

3. The Hut

Have you ever heard of huts on wheels? If you do not want anything permanent that takes time to build, check out vintage shepherd's huts. Although they may look a bit rough on the outside, you can decorate the inside any way you please. You can even add electricity, heating, water, ect. for an updated space. Or, keep it simple with a nice interior garden.

2. The Lightest Room in Your Home

Bare with me here. Look around inside your home and see what room is the lightest. Is it the dining nook? The office? The entryway? If it is an essential room such as your bedroom you may not want an interior garden. However, there are plenty of ways to incorporate an interior garden into many rooms.

1. The Chic Shed

If you have a small shed, you can have a chic shed! All you need is some paint, storage shelves, and a small area for your activities. If there are no windows, consider having some put in or at the very least a glass door to let in light. Maybe you want a small office in your garden office/room? Another great idea is a craft room.

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Mobile homes get a notoriously bad rap for getting cold in the winter. With January approaching, there are some things you can do if you are a mobile home owner. If you have high heating bills, bursting pipes, or condensation, you could benefit from reading this article. If you experience any of the previous three issues, stay tuned for the fixes!

1.Heating Bills Can Be High

If you haven't heard, heating bills for mobile homes (more information here) can be high. Typically, manufactured homes are made with the minimal requirement of insulation. That's one reason they are so cheap. The good news is, your house does not have to be cold the whole winter. If you have the money and/or the time for upgrades, you can greatly reduce your heating bill. Even if you are not rolling in the dough, there are some very minimally priced fixes you can utilize.

Fixes:

If you want to winterize your home, I have a few suggestions:

Remove any furniture from on top of the vents for maximum heat flowIf you use your oven, keep it open afterward to let some extra heat outChange your furnace filter to keep it working at tip top shapeDrink hot beverages to keep yourself warmFix the skirting around the bottom of your home to keep out the drafty windAdd window treatments such as plastic, solar shades, or thermal-lined draperiesAdd or replace weatherstripping throughout your homeThrow down some rugs to insulate from the bottom upInstall better windowsInstall better doorsCreate a natural wind barrier of evergreen trees around your homeCheck outlets for cracks and re-seal with caulk if needed (turn off your electricity first!)Check for plumbing leaks, especially from the toilet

2. Pipes Can Burst

If you live in an area where the temperature drops below freezing, your pipes can burst. This is true whether you live in an old home or a mobile home. However, if you want to prevent this potentially costly break, check out my fixes below.

Fixes:

One thing you can do is hire a plumber to run heat tape along your pipes. If you already have tape, make sure you have it turned on when the temperature drops! If you live in a mobile home court, ask at the office if you have heat tape. If so, ask if it is within your power to turn it on and off. Warning: do not plug heat tape into an extension cord unless you want a fire hazard!

If you don't have an outlet outside, you can hire an electrician to do it for you. In fact, it can be as simple as having them drop a line straight down from the fuse panel. If they give the heat tape its own fuse, it is much easier to turn on and off when you need it.

3. Condensation Can Form

Moisture is a delicate balance. Your home can easily become too humid or not humid enough. If there is too little, static and dry skin can result. If there is too much, condensation forms. This is bad, especially in the wintertime. The excess moisture will build up, and it can end up accruing on the surfaces of your home's structure. This accumulation can cause stains and eventually deterioration of the structure of your mobile home. If you notice the formation of condensation on your windows, there are some steps you can take to equalize your air.

Fixes:

You can help reduce condensation by either opening the windows a bit, or installing an exhaust fan. If you cook by gas, the open flame indirectly causes water droplets to form. Another room of the house that can gather condensation is the bathroom. Try turning on the fans in both rooms to draw out the excess moisture in the air. Avoid turning down the heat in your home to the point it causes your windows or walls to fog. If this is happening, your home is deteriorating from the inside out. Whether summer or winter, proper ventilation is key.